Elevating grader



Nov. 26, 1963 Fil ed March 13, 1961 R. M. ULRICH 3,111,779

ELEVATING GRADER 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Nov. 26, 1963 R. M. ULRICH ELEVATING GRADER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March15, 1961 INVENTOR.

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Ill 7 NoY. 26, 1963 R. M. ULRICH ELEVATING GRADER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledMarch 15, 1961 Nov. 26, .1963 R. M. ULRICH I 3,111,779

ELEVATING GRADER I 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 13. 1961 INVENTQR.

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5 Sheets-Shet 5 Nov. 26, 1963 R. M. ULRICH ELEVATING GRADER Filed March13. 1961 QNN INVENTOR. l2 Worm/Wilma 8%)1010 @m M Q. Q N N United StatesPatent 3,111,779 ELEVATING GRADER Raymond M. Ulrich, Roanoke, Ill.,assignor to Ulrich Manufacturing Co., Roanoke, 111., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Mar. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 95,113 20 Claims. (Cl. 37-110) Ths invention relates to elevating graders and more particularly to anattachment by which a conventional motor grader may be converted to anelevating grader.

Such attachment devices have been used for a number of years, andbriefly comprise an inclinable frame structure on which is supported alengthwise extending continuous conveyor belt, the lower end of theframe and supported belt being usually suspended or mounted beneath themain frame of the grader and with a disc or other plow device adjacentthe lower end of the conveyor belt for feeding earth or other materialonto the belt as the grader'is moved forwardly. The device is usuallymounted as a substitute for the moldboard, circle and other supportswhich are removed to make room therefor. Such attachment devices have amultiplicity of uses as in loading surplus material onto trucks, i.e.,

for loading earth, loose gravel, broken macadam or other fill in highwayconstruction, reel-aiming or building new ditches along roads andelsewhere and loading the reclaimed material directly onto trucks,casting dirt, as in constructing a levee or other embankment, surfacemining, building road shoulders, removing top soil and casting it orloading it into trucks, terracing fields as in combatting erosion,digging canals and countless other loading and/ or casting operationswhere a large quantity operation is desired to be conducted in a swift,economical efiicient manner. One of the difiiculties in many of theseprior art structures was the inconvenience and difliculty in mountingand/ or dismounting the elevating grader attachment. Another problem wasthat of obtaining an adequate support for the conveyor frame which mayhave a length of 28 feet and sometimes even longer. Also, there was theproblem of stabilizing the lower end of the conveyor so that it wouldremain in proper alignment with the plow disc or other feed means. Inthis connection, a major problem has been the danger of the discstriking the conveyor belt, which is usually made of rubber orreinforcedfabric, and cutting or otherwise damaging it.

Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is to provide anelevating grader attachmentwhich will remove the source ofthesedifiiculties and/or at least minimize their effect.

Thus a first and important feature :and/or object of the presentinvention is to provide means achieving a mechanical coordinationbetween the plow beam which supports the disc and the lower end of theconveyor frame, making it impossible to damage the conveyor belt byreason of the disc striking it. with the present invention, it isproposed that the end of the frame or carrier for the carrier belt besupported by the plow beam in a way such that as said beam is moved toraise or lower the disc, the end of the conveyor will travel therewith.This, of course, means that the disc may be advantageously located veryclose to the lower Thus, in accordance terminus of the convey-or belt,and maintain a preset or adjusted position related thereto.

' Still another feature and/or object of the invention is to providebracing and rigidity in the mounting of the lower end of the conveyorwith respect to the plow beam, on which it is proposed to mount not onlythe plow disc but also the conveyor.

Another feature of the invention is the novel means and arrangement bywhich the plow beam may be mounted and dismounted from the main frame ofthe motor grader or tractor. Thus, it is contemplated that the beam andsupporting structure for the plow disc and conveyor will be joined as aunit which can be attached to the main frame of the tractor or motorgrader by means of a ball and socket connection at one end of the beamand a pin connection at its other end. Still another feature of theinvention is the novel means employed for raising and lowering the twoends of the conveyor and also the plow disc by using the controlsconventionally provided in a motor grader or tractor equipped with amoldboard and circle support therefor. Thus, in one form of the motorgrader to which the invention is adapted as an attachment, the leftblade lift control is used to raise and lower the plow disc, while theright blade lift control is used to regulate the height of the upper endof the conveyor. The lower end of the conveyor is connected to thepinion and sector gear which shifts the circle and blade sidewise. Theonly added control is for the power take off which runs the conveyorbelt.

Other features of the invention include .a novel and improvedconstruction of conveyor, including a novel roller assembly forsupporting the continuous conveyor belt; also novel means for confiningits travel, as well as novel frame structure embodying sections whichmay he convenientlyv inserted or removed in order to adjust the lengthof the elevator to the desired length and also adapting it so that itmay be hinged intennediate its ends so as to. minimize the width of thegrader when traveling along a public. highway or wthrough narrowpassages,

'. Many other objects of the invention as well as features and/oradvantages thereof will be at once apparent or will become so from areading of the detailed description of a preferred embodiment whichfollows, and when considered with the figures in the accompanying sheetsof drawing.

However, in connection with said description and views of a preferredembodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the same is notto be taken in a limiting sense, but only as illustrative of theinvention, since many modifications and/or substitution of parts and/orarrangements beyond those shown and described will suggest themselvesand are intended to be included, although not always definitely referredto in said description. The

scope of the invention and what is believed to be new and patentable isdefined by the appended claims and which claims are furthermore to begiven a breadth consistent with the teaching of the invention as hereindisclosed and only as limited by the prior art.

Now first referring to the several views of the drawing wherein likeparts are identified by like reference numerals:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the invention, the

a same being shown in side elevation attached to a conventional motordriven road grader, portions of the cab, rear wheels and motor of theroad grader being cut away, as not essential to an understanding of theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of the plow disc and the mountingmeans therefor, as well as for the conveyor, the motor grader on whichthe attachment is mounted being shown in dotted lines;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the attachment takenapproximately along lines 3-3 of FIGURES 2 and 5, looking in thedirection indicated by the arrows, to show the parts of the attachmentin their normal operating positions, but with structural details of thetractor or motor grader omitted for better clarity and understanding ofthe essential structure of the attachment, the conveyor being shown inan inclined position as it would be in a working posit-ion, in contrastwith FIGURE where the conveyor is shown lying on the ground in theposition it would be located for mounting to the tractor main frame;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmented view of the conveyor showing how the mainlength of the conveyor may be swung about a hinged section thereof toassume a substantially vertical position to minimize the width theattachment takes in traveling;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan of the attachment with the main frame and forwardwheels of the tractor shown by dotted lines;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken through the conveyor on thetransverse section plane 6-6 in FIGURE 3 and looking in the directionindicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmented plan view taken at lines 77 of FIGURE 3 to showthe conveyor belt confining or guide means;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIGURE 7 to showthe construction thereof;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken through the gear sector of FIGURE 3to show keying thereof;

FIGURE 10 is a view taken along lines 10--10 of FIGURE 5 illustratingthe means of pivotally connecting the rear end of the plow supportingbeam to the tractor frame.

Referring more specifically to the several views which comprise thedrawings, and first, to FIGURE 1, the attachment comprising the presentinvention is there shown mounted on the main frame 20 of a tractor 22which is conventionally identified in this art as a motor grader, andwhich terms are herein interchangeably used. The main frame 20 of suchtractors is conventionally arched upwardly to provide clearance for themoldboard and supporting circle which are supported therebeneath betweenthe forward wheels 24 and rear wheels 26 thereof. Commonly, suchtractors are provided with a cab or drivers position indicated generallyat 28, where the operator sits and the various controls are provided. Tothe rear of the cab is the engine 30 which is drivingly connected atleast to the rear wheels 26. Appropriate power steering means, indicatedgenerally at 32, may also be provided and the forward wheels. 24 may beadapted to be slanted to accommodate the particular incline or slope ofthe terrain over which the tractor is being operated. For example,slanting of the forward wheels is particularly advantageous when workingon a road shoulder or in a ditch. Appropriate mechanism for so incliningthe wheels is indicated generally by reference numeral 34.

Within the cab of the conventional motor grader are found the usuallevers and other mechanisms for controlling the forward and reversemovements of the tractor as well as controls for lifting mechanism whichwill raise either or both the left and right hand sides of the moldboardblade through the conventional circle, as well as shifting the circleand blade sidewise. These controls will be referred to later in thedescription of the invention with an indication as to how they areadapted to operate the raising and lowering of the disc plow andupperand lower ends of the conveyor, which comprise the attachmentrepresenting the present invention.

Now referring more specifically to the attachment by means of which aconventional motor grader, such as de scribed, can be adapted as anelevating grader, in FIG- URE 1 the attachment is represented generallyby reference numeral 36 and includes a plow beam 3 8 pivotallyconnectable to the tractor frame as hereinafter described so that it canbe moved about an axis represented by AA in FIGURE 5, which isessentially the longitudinal axis of the tractor or motor grader itself.Suspended from said beam 38 is a plow indicated at 40, which may be ofany suitable shape, although preferably it is circular in outline and ofconvex-concave shape and is usually of hardened steel with sharpenededges. Plow disc 40 is aligned and so angled that the forward movementof the tractor induces it to plow and direct earth or other loosematerial onto the lower end of an inclinable conveyor indicatedgenerally at '42, the conveyor being provided with a continuously movingbelt 44- which carries the material upwardly as indicated by arrow 44Aand casts it to the. side of the moving tractor 22 into a window pile orlevee or into the body of a truck moving with the tractor.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, it will be seen that the forward end of theplow beam 38 has a cylindrical hearing portion 46 through which extendsthe stem 48 of a ball-headed connecting bolt 50, the head of said boltbeing received within a complementary shaped cavity 52 provided in endportion 54 of the main frame 20 of the tractor body and completed bydetachable retainer 55 which is standard construction in conventionalmotor graders for supporting the forward end of the circle supportingframe. The outer end of said stem 48 is threaded to receive a lockingnut 56. Through the aforesaid construction, beam 38 may be. hinged aboutstem 48 as an axle while also having a universal movement derived fromthe described ball and socket connection. As illustrated best in FIGURE5, plow beam 38 arches outwardly from bearing portion 46 to provide asupport to which plow disc 40 may be attached, which is outside thewidth of the tractor. Therefore, the plowing action of the discparallels but is also outside the line of travel of the tires so thatthere is minimum inerference. The opposite or rear end of the beam 38 isnot directly connected to the tractor frame, -although this might beaccomplished by making beam 38 of essentially U-shape. Desirably,however, a supporting strut 58 is provided having a bifurcated end 59which is pivoted to the rear end of beam 38 by pivot pin means 60 toobtain a limited pivotalv action about a vertical axis. Strut 5 8 is inturn pivotally connected at its opposite end to the frame 20 formovement about horizontal axis AA along which bearing portion 46 of beam38 also turns in its swinging about stem 48 of bolt 50. The use of thehinged strut 58 contributes to the ease in mounting the beam 6 8 to thetractor as does also the ball-and-socket connection of its forward endto the frame.

Referring now to FIGURE 10, the manner by which strut 58 is hinged to:frame 20 will now be described. As shown in said FIGURE 10, the inboardend of strut 58 is provided with an upwardly extending ear 62 as well asa downwardly extending ear 64. As indicated in FIGURE 5, the frame 20 ofthe tractor is conventionally divided in the region of the cab intobifurcations 20A and 2:08, which provide a more adequate support for theweight of the engine 30. Therefore, to provide a support to which theinboard end of strut 58 may be hinged, a plate 66 spans saidbifurcations -20A, 20B of the tractor frame. Welded to the ends of thisplate are a pair of slotted members 68 rigidly locked to thebifurcations 20A, 203 by means of bolts 70 passed through said slots andabout the frame bifurcations, appropriately apertured fastening plates72 being provided on the top and bottom sides of the bifurcationsthrough which the legs of said bolts pass. Intermediate said slottedmembers. is welded a depending lug 74 to which strut 58 is pivotallyjoined by pin 76 which passes through a suitably provided opening. insaid lug. It will be understood that both pin 76 and stem 48 of theball-headed bolt are horizontally disposed so as to lie along theaforesaid axis AA which also represents the longitudinal axis of thetractor. In mounting the beam 38 on the tractor, it will be appreciatedthat the aforesaid construction is particularly advantageous since theforward end of the beam may be first connected by bolt 50 which providesa ball-and-socket universal connection about which the beam may bemaneuvered in order to bring the inboard end of strut 58 into alignmentwith lug 74 to permit its pinning thereto, as does also the pivotalconnection 60 of the outboard end of the strut 58 to the rearward end ofthe beam 38.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, plow disc 40' is supported on beam 38 bymeans of a bracket 78. It will be noted in FIGURE 2 that beam 38 isapertured to provide a series of horizontally arranged openings 80 andthat bracket 78 also has a series of vertically arranged openings 82.This permits the disc to be mounted not only at different distances fromthe beam 38, but also at dilferent locations lengthwise thereof so thatit may be eifec-' tively centered, or at some related distanceoff-center with respect to the adjacent edge of the conveyor 42. Bracket78 may be secured to the beam in a thus selected position by means of abolt 84 passed through an aligned pair of openings 80 and 82, and a pairof locking plates 86 disposed on the opposite sides of the bracket 78and beam 88. Preferably, the locking plates '86 are diagonally directedas indicated in FIGURE 2, so that connecting bolts 88 may be also passedthrough suitable openings in the ends of plates 86 and to lie onopposite sides of the bracket 78 in corners defined by the side surfacesof beam 38 and bracket 78, as illustrated, and which three pointmounting considerably increases the lateral rigidity of the connection.Setting of the plow disc will vary greatly in different types ofmaterials. In general, the disc is moved forwardly along the beam, 38and the pitch of the disc flattened when working with loose material.Conversely, when working in heavy material, the disc bracket 78 is movedrearwardly along beam 38 and the pitch of the disc is increased. Pitchof the disc is regulated by means of brace 90, which is shown in FIGURE2 as provided with apertures91 placed along its length at predeterminedintervals. Brace 90 is suitably pivoted at one. end to disc supportingbracket 78 as at 92 and is also connected by means of a shear pin orbolt 93 to a depending lug .94 provided on beam 38. Upon failure ofshear pin 93, at predetermined overload, bracket 78 swings back aroundbolt 84 as a pivot. The interval between these twoconnotations-determines the angle of pitch of the plow disc 40. Throughthe aforedescribed mounting of the disc 40, it will be recognized thatnot only are a variety of adjustments possible, but also the plow disc40 can be very stably mounted on the beam 38 in its selected setting.

- The depth of cut of the disc 40' is controlled by adjusting beam 38upwardly or downwardly about the aforementioned axis AA. To support beam38 at a height at which the disc will provide the necessary depth ofcut, a, projection 96 is provided on beam 38 to which link 98isconnected by a ball-andsocket connection indicated at 100 (FIGURE 5).The opposite end of link 98 in turn is-hingedly connected at 101 to thebifurcated end of a second link 102 which is connected at 104 so as tobe turned by rotation of shaft 106. Shaft 106, in turn, is coupledthrough a suitable clutch arrangement to the drive mechanism of thetractor, and which clutch is operated from the cab by the driver of thetractor. It should be understood that in a conventional motor graderequipped with a circle supported moldboard, shaft 106, and its operatingclutch mechanisms as well as links 102 and 98 are attached to one sideof the circle and serve to accommodate raising and lowering of the leftside of the moldboard. It will be appreciated therefore. that one of thefeatures of applicants invention is that the attachment he proposes canbe operated by the controls normally present in a motor grader of thegeneral character illustrated. It should further be understood that ifthe grade-r is equipped with hydraulic devices for raising and loweringthe moldboard, rather than the aforedescribed purely mechanical means,one of such hydraulic devices can also be utilized for raising andlowering beam 38 by attaching the piston arm of the hydraulic cylinderthrough suitable linkages to the beam 38 and so accomplish the sameresult.

Turning now to the conveyor 44, one of the features of the presentinvention is that the conveyor is so mounted on the plow beam 38 as topermit adjustments in height of either the lower or upper ends of theconveyor without disturbing the initial spacing or setting of the plowdisc with respect to the lower end of the conveyor. Conversely, theinvention provides a coordination between the lower end of the'conveyorand the plow disc such that as beam 38 is raised or lowered to affectthe depth of cut of the plow disc 40, the said initial spacing betweenthe disc and conveyor or end does not materially change. This has theobvious advantage that the end of the conveyor can be placed withinthree or four inches of the plow disc 40 where it will. be mosteffective to receive and elevate the material plowed thereon by disc 40without risking injury to the rubber belt 44 of the conveyor, eitherduring swinging of the beam 38 in adjusting the plow disc depth or ifthe tractor were shaken as when proceeding over rough or uneven terrain.At the same time, the invention provides an exceedingly stable supportfor the conveyor and particularly for the lower end thereof.

Referring therefore to FIGURES 1 and 2, the lower end of the conveyor 42is shown provided with a lip member 108 located forwardly ofthe lowerterminus of' the belt 44, and which member serves to join the forwardends of the two sidewalls 110 and 110A of the conveyor into a structure,and also provides a. measure of protection to the belt in thatit'prevents the belt from directly-engaging the groundsurface should theend of the conveyor be so directed. Thetwo ends of the lip member 108are shown extending outwardly beyond: the sides 1'10 and 110A of theconveyor and so provide flangelike'extensions 112 on which are weldedupstanding ears 114 and 114A provided with apertures aligned to liealong a horizontal 'axis'defined by dot-dash lines CC of FIGURE 2 whichpasses through the center line of the bottom belt roller or cylinder 182(FIGURE 3), to be later described.

- Referring nowto FIGURE 10, it will be remembered that plow beamsupporting strut 58 is also providedwith. a depending car 64. To thiscar a link 116 is hinged by a suitable connecting pin 118. The lower endof link 116 is connected by a pin between ears 114 on the one side ofthe conveyor 42. On the opposite side of conveyor 42 link 120 (FIGURE 2)correspon-dingto link 116 is provided having its lower end hinged toears 114A by a pin 117, its opposite end being disposed between thebifurcations of end 1'22 of a strut 124 and hingedly con-. nectedthereto by a pin 128, strut 124 having its opposite end rigidly fastenedto beam 38 as by fastening plate 126. Referring still to FIGURE 2, pins115 and 1'17 by which the ends of links 116 and 120 are connected to thelower to axis AA and furthermore defines therewith a vertical planewhich is normally to one side of axis CC.

In order to support and/or locate the pivotally mounted lower end of theconveyor at a desired height, means are provided in the form of a pairof wings 130, 132

(FIGUREZ), suitably'bolted on opposite sides of a sector g r: 134 whichis; keyed. about way 133 (FIGURE 9) provided in. the casting of the mainframe of the tractoror; motor grader.v Sector gear 134' is adapted to bedriven in; its. arcuate; path about way 1133; by pinion gear 136 (FIGUR3-) h ch i s cured o shaft 135 and the ro a.- tion of which is:controlled from the cab of the tractor through a suitable clutchingarrangernent. Again, sector gea 1 an p n o ge r 1,36 a s da parts themechanism of; manyrnotor graders and, normally are connected to turn thecircle on which the moldboard is sup-. ported thereby to allow shifting;of the circle and. moldboard. sidewise. In the present invention, themoldboard. and its supporting circle are removed, wherefore movement, ofthe sector gear 134, along way 133 may be. utilized to, adjust the.height of the lower end of the conveyor 42; by suspending the same bychains 137 connected. to the ends of the. wings 130, 132.v attached to.the sectorgear, as. aforementioned, the ends. of said chains. beingattached to the, sidewalls of the conveyor as by lugs1318 disposedintermediate the pivotal connections of the links 116 and, 120 whichhinge about axes B-B and C-C. 'lfherefore rotatin-g movement imparted toshaft may b flanslated through pinion 136 to sector 134 causing the W113,0, 132, which move therewith to raise or lowerend of the conveyor.,Links 116 and 120' by reason of their pivotal connections to the ends ofthe conveyor andsupportingstruts 58 and124-accornmodate said raising andlowering, but without disturbing the pre-set spacing of lip 108 of theconveyor with respect to the adjacent edg of the p ow. disc. 0 (s eIG... 3;)-

T a ize. the onveyo sam s w y and P ticularly its lower end which issubject to the loadingaction of the plow disc.v 40, appropriate bracingis provided. This isbest shown in FIGURES 1' and 2 as comprising adepending strut 140 welded to beam 38 immediately behind bearing portion46, and which strut 140 depends in spaced relation with strut 124.v Thelower ends of the two struts. 124 and: 140' are connected by ahorizontal brace 142 (FIGURE 2) Further bracing may also be obtained bymeans of a diagonal brace 144. Depending strut 140i also has a pair ofcars 146 having aperturesali gned with the apertures, in the ears ofstrut 124 which receive pin 128 so as to lie along axis B-B'. Actually,

link 1-20 previously referred to is but one side of a right;

triangular memberwhich also includes a horizontal piece 148 and adiagonal brace 152 constituting the hypotenuse of the triangle.Horizontal piece 148 lies alongaxis B-B= between the apertured ears ofstruts 124 and 140, pin 128 being threadedlyconnected into one endthereof and a second pin 150 being threadedly connected in the other endthereof. Pins- 150 and 128 therefor together serve to pivotallysupportan axis- B-B a triangular link represented by link 120, piece 148and brace 152', affording a structure of considerable strength andrigidity to support the conveyor on beam 38 and resist torsion andswayof the lower'end of the conveyor as in the loading operation andatother times.

Because of; the length of the conveyor which may be asmuch' as 31 feet,astabilizing: arm d56- is also provided. Referring to- FIGURES 3 and 5,one end of stabilizing rod; 156 isalso hingedlyconnected to dependingstrut 140 as by pin 150, said stabilizing rod 156 extendingdiagonally toa further attachment plate 158 bolted to sidewall 110 of the conveyor 42near the top or upper end of the conveyor.

upper and IOWCPSCCUODS of the conveyor as hereinafter described toincrease the length of the conveyor, plate- 158 will be rebolted to theconveyor such that the same angle of the; stabilizing rod is held.

In order to support the upper end of the conveyor, suitable means areprovided, as will now be described with particular reference to FIGURESl and 3.

Suitably mounted on the frame 20 of the grader body is a mountingbracket or stanchion 162 as by bolts 178 which passthroughaperturedflanges 1 63 of the stanchion,

As sections are added between the along the sides of the frame 20 and.through aligned aper-v tures in straddling plate 175, nuts on thethreaded ends of said bolts being; tightened to hold the stanchion 162;.rigid. Stanchion 163 Serves to rotatably support a. sh ave 164 aboutwhich extends a; cable 166 secured at. oneend. to a tie rod 168 by anappropriate fastener element 167,. the tie rod 168 having its opposedends pivotally secured to lugs 170 mounted on the edges ofthe conveyorside. walls 110, 110A and the upper end thereof. In place, of fastenerelement 167 a sheave may be substituted and the cable passed around saidsheave and anchored at the stanchion 162 to a point below sheave 164, tolessen, ten: sion on the cable. The opposite end of said cable 166.issuit-ably fastened as by means 172 to a second sheave- 174 mounted onshaft 176 so as to. turn with rotation of the shaft 176, said shaftbeing suitably clutched to the drive mechanism. of the grader andoperable through appropriate means in the cab. Again, shaft 176 andthecontrols therefor, like shaft 106 and its controls, are con.ventional equipment provided on such graders. Shaft 176 is normallyfound linked to the circle which supports the moldboard and is used tolift the right side of the circle and thereby the right sideofthemoldboard. Again, rather than the described mechanical arrangementinvolving rotation of shaft, 176, the raising and lowering of the upperend of the conveyor might be accomplished by hydraulic means.v In suchcase the piston might be con nected directly to the conveyor or throughsuitable linkages. The reciprocation of the pinion rotating shaft 176.might also be suitably geared, as, to operate sheave 174' and therebywind, and unwind a cable such as 166. In the aforedescribedarrangements. it will be. recognized that the cable 166 serves. as meanswhich may be operatedto. raise and/ or lower the upper. end of theconveyor as well. as retaining the conveyor at a desired height. It alsowill, be appreciated that in setting the. angle of the conveyor. 42,both the mechanisms actingon the upper end and, on, the lower end of theconveyor, will necessarily. be op erated.

Now turning to the conveyor 42 itself, as previously. described, itcomprises a frame embodying two spaced sidewalls 1 10 and. 110A, joinedat their lower end by a lip forming member 108, and at their upper endsby a guard rail 18.0. Cylinders 182' and 184 are rotatably mounted; onsaid sidewalls 110 and 110A adjacent the lower and upper ends,respectively, of said conveyor 42, and about which the. conveyor belt.44 extends. Conveyor belt 44 is. preferably formed of a rugged rubbercomposition and is suitably cleated to better hold the earth or othermaterial loaded thereon by discv 40. Thedirection of travel of the belt44, is indicated by the arrows 44A (FIGURE 1) and is accomplishedthrough suitable gearing provided in a gear box 1 86 which drivinglyconnects shaft 188 of cylinder 184 to telescoping shafts 190 and 192,said shafts 190 and 192 being connected together at 194 by a telescopicdrive connection, and telescoping shaft 192 in; turn being drivinglyconnectedto drive gearing 196 to accomplish rotation thereof, powertherefor'being obtained through suitable clutching to the drivemechanism of the tractor. Suitable means for engaging and disengagingtheclutch are provided in the cab for the convenience of theoperator ofthe tractor;

The two sidewalls 110 and 110A of the conveyor can be formedas singleunits, but are preferablyformed in short sections joined together bytransversely extending-- tie members 197 and having flanged end portions198 so that they may be conveniently bolted together to obtainany lengthof conveyordesircd. The two end sections, however, need be flanged onlyat their inboard ends. Since it is often necessary to move a graderthrough narrow passages oralong public streets where the length of theconveyor added to the. width of the grader would make movement of thegrader either'impossible or at least hazardous and affecting publicsafety, it is highly desirable that the conveyor be hinged intermediateits ends so that a substantial. portionof the length of the conveyor maybe disposed Vertically. This may be Conveniently accomplished byutilizing a conveyor section wherein the side-walls comprise two partshinged together. Such a section is indicated at 200 in FIGURES 3and.4"an'd comprises parts 202 and 203 hinged together as at 204, eachsaid part comprising a pair of spaced sidewalls joined together by tiemembers 197. Said parts 202 andv 203 are further provided with adjoiningflanges 205 and 206, which flanges are formed withopeningsso that thetwo parts may be bolted together to prevent accidental hinging when theconveyor is being worked in its extended position. In order toaccommodate the hin-ging action, a piece 208 of each sidewall of part202 is made removable, said pieces also normally being bolted in placeto provide a continuous wall on either side of the conveyor belt.Although in FiGURE 4 hinge 204 is shown located on the outboard side ofthe wheels 24, it will be appreciated that, through suitable adjustmentof the elevating controls for the upper and lower ends of the conveyor,it would also be possible to locate said hinge to the inboard side ofthe wheels and so further narrow the overall width of the grader.

One of the features of the conveyor comprising a part ofthe presentinvention is the manner of mounting the rollers which are placed atselected intervals and in each section along the length of the conveyorto support the belt in both the upper course of its travel between theend cylinders 1 82 and 184 and in its return or lower course.

Referring to FIGURE 6, these belt supporting rollers 210 are shownrotatably mounted on shafts 212 having portions which extend outwardlyof the cylinder. To accommodate smooth turning of the rollers 210 abouttheir mounting shafts 212, roller bearings 222 are provided about eachend of the shafts and are supported between a bearing cone 224 and abearing cup 226, a closure member being provided at 228 and a seal at230. To complete the assembly, one of the protruding ends of the shaft212 is threaded as at 213 so that a nut 214 may be threadedly connectedthereto. Although a nut might also be threadedly connected to theoppositeend of shafts 212, it has been found sufiicient to provide a nuthaving a press-fit with the other end of the shaft, since access to thebearings and proper tightening thereof may be conveniently accomplishedif at least one nut is removable. However, in accordance with theinvention, both nuts are formed of a hexagonal or other non-circularshape so that a fiat surface thereof may be rested on projections 218suitably welded on the inside of conveyor sidewalls 210 and 210A,U-bolts 216 being provided each having its bight portion resting on atop, preferably flat, surface of the nut and its two legs 217 extendingdownwardly along the sides of the nuts which may be notched to receivethe legs of the bolt and having threaded ends which extend throughslotted apertures (in cross-wise of the conveyor) in projection 21-8 oneither side of the nut, the U-bolts being thus secured in place by nuts220 threadedly connected to said threaded ends. Such a mountingarrangement is not only simple to manufacture, but provides a positivelocking of the rollers shaft to the conveyor sidewalls and yet isconveniently removable in the field if found necessary.

In order to properly guide the travel of conveyor belt 44 aboutcylinders 1-82 and 184, means are provided at 232 (FIGURE 3) just aheadof the respective cylinders 182 and 184, the belt being considered asmoving counterclockwise in said FIGURE 3. 7

Referring to FIGURES 7 and 8, the construction of these guide members isthere shown as comprising a main bearing plate 236 pivotally mounted toswing about a central bolt 23-8 by means of which the plate is securedto a supporting lug or projection 234 welded at appropriate locations onthe inside surface of conveyor sidewalls 210 and 210A. Said plate 236 isshown supporting three aligned sheaves 240, 242 and 244, each of whichare freely rotatable about their mountings and about which sheaves ismounted a V-belt or band 246. As illustrated 10' in FIGURE7, the guidedevices are so mounted that the inboard side of the V-belt 246establishes line contact with the edge of the conveyor belt 44 as itpasses thereby in preparation to moving about cylinder 182 or 2184 asthe case may be.' Each of said sheaves 240', 242, and 2 144 is furtherprovided with a lip portion indicated at 240A, 242A and 244A which lapthe adjacent edge of the conveyor belt 44. It will be appreciated thatsuch guide means 232 are provided on each side of the conveyor belt 44immediately ahead of the two end cylinders 180 and 184 and because theyare free to swing about a pivot disposed normal to the direction oftravel of the belt 44, as defined by bolt 238, the V-belt 246 limitsidewise shift of the conveyor belt 44, so that there is no danger ofthe conveyor belt 44 running off the cylinders 184 and 1 82 in theirprogress thereabout. Preferably, suitable closure flanges indicated at250 are bolted to the sidewalls and 1110A of the conveyor as by bolts252 and extend lengthwise of the conveyor belt 44 so as to prevent dirtfrom entering the space left between the edge of the belt 44 and walls110, 110A, as the case may be. Preferably, the closure flaps 250 willalso have a rubber lip portion 254' fastened along their free edge todirectly engage the moving belt 44. p

From the above description, it will be recognized that not only is theinvention readily adapted to conventional motor graders, but that itsstructure provides a most stable as well as eflicient operation ofelevating grader and ac-' complishes all of the objects and advantagesand features recited therefor and in an exceedingly practical manner,

It will, furthermore, be understood that the invention, rather thanconstituting an attachment to replace the circle and moldboard of amotorized road grader, might be constructed as a separate unit havingits own frame, wheels and engine, and so adapted to be driven under itsown power or pulled behind a tractor or other power driven vehicle.

Thus having described my invention, I claim:

1. In an elevating grader, the combination of a beam pivotallyconnectable to a tractor frame about a first axis extendinglongitudinally of said frame, a plow suspended from said beam, aconveyor including rollers at opposite ends thereof and an endless beltextending about said rollers, said conveyor having one'end portiondisposed below said beam and means pivotally mounting said end' portionto'said beam for movement about a horizontal axis spaced parallel to andbelow said first axis about which the beam is pivotally mountable, saidhorizontal axis essentially coinciding with the axis of the roller atsaid end of the conveyor, means for supporting said conveyor in aninclined position, and means for adjusting the beam about said firstaxis to raise and lower the plow, the lower end of the conveyor movingwith said adjustment of the beam so as to maintain a. predeterminedalignment and spacing of the plow with respect to the said lower end ofthe conveyor.

2. In an elevating grader, the combination of abeam for supporting aplow, means for pivotally connecting its ends to a tractor frame so asto be adjustable about a first axis extending longitudinally of saidframe, aconveyor having an end portion disposed below said axis andadjacent said plow, rigid means pivotally mounted to said beam formovement about a horizontal axis spaced below and parallel to said firstaxis about which the beamis pivotally mountable to the tractor frame,said end portion of the conveyor being. pivotally connected to saidrigid means 'for movement about a third axis parallel to said first andsecond axes, means connected to adjacent the two ends of the conveyor bywhich ends thereof may be. raised and lowered, and further meansconnected to the beam by operation of which it may be adjusted'about itspivotal connection to raise and lower the plow, the lower end of theconveyor by reason of its said connection with the beam moving with theadjustment of the beam so as to maintain a predetermined alignment andspacing of the plow with respect to the said lower end of the conveyor,said, plow being adjustable on said beam to a desired positionalalignment and pitch with respect to the adjacent conveyor end portion.

3. In an elevating grader, thev combination of a beam having axiallyaligned bearing portion-s by which it may be pivotally connected to atractor frame to. permit. adjustment of the beam about. a first, axisextending longitudinally of the frame, said. beam having a. supportingportion offset from its said bearing portions for supporting a plowdisc, an, inclinable conveyor extending transversely of said first axis,a pair oflinks one on each side of the lower end of said conveyor, saidlinks having an end pivotally connected to the lower end of the conveyorfor hinged movement about a second axis offset from and parallel to saidfirst axis, and: means hingedl-y connecting the opposite ends of saidlinks to the beam for pivotal movement about a common axis disposed.below and parallel to said first axis about which the beam isadjustable, a first connecting means joined tothe lower end of saidconveyor intermediate said offset and common axes, and a secondconnecting means joined to the upper end of the conveyor, saidconnecting means being adapted for connection to operating means in thegrader to permit variation of the inclination of said conveyor.

4. In an elevating grader, the combination of a beam having axiallyaligned. bearing portions for pivotal. con nection tov a tractor frame.to permit adjustment of the beamabout, a first axis extendinglongitudinally of the frame, said beam; having a supporting portion.ofiset from its said bearing portions, a plow :disc suspended therefrom,an inclinable conveyor extending. transversely beneath said axis so thatits lower end is. adjacent the plow disc, apairof links, one on eachside of the lower end of said conveyor, said links each having an endpivotally connected to the lowerend of the conveyor for hinged movementabout a second axis offset from and parallel to said first axis, a pairof supporting struts on said beam to move with the pivoting of said beamabout said first axis, the opposite ends of said links being. pivotallycon.- nected to said struts; about, a common axis disposed below andparallel to said first axis, and means joined. to adjacent the upperand. lower ends. of said conveyor which are operable to permitvariationof the. inclination of said conveyor.

5. In an elevating grader having a longitudinal frame, a; beam havingvone, end removably connected. by a balland-socket joint to beneath theframe adjacent one end thereof, said: beam. arching outwardly from.-said connection-1D. one side of the. frame, a supporting strut, verticalpivot meansconnecting one end of said' supporting strut to; the otherend of the beam, horizontal: pivot means connecting. the other; end ofthe strut to the frame, the axis of said horizontal pivot means.intersecting the center of the. ballrand-socket joint by which. the.first endv of the beam is connected to the frame, an inclinable.belt-type conveyor supported; beneath. said: frame. and extendingtransversely thereof, with its upper end' on. the. side of. the frame.opposite that where; the. beam is located, a plow disc mounted on saidbeam intermediate its. ends, the lower end. Of: said conveyor beingpivotally supported by meansv including said strut such that said endmoves with adjustment of the beam about. the axis of said horizontalpivot means to; maintain a fixed spacing from said plow disc, means onsaid. beam which permit adjusting the spaced alignment of the plow discwith the lower end of the conveyor, and means. on the frame. connectabletothe beam for adjusting said beam about its pivotal connection. withthe-tractorframe to alter the height of the disc plow.

6. In an elevating grader, a conveyor comprising an inclinable frameembodying a pair of spaced sidewalls, said sidewalls each supporting ontheir inboard sides aligned pairs of projections each having a pair ofspaced openings, a shaft supported roller between each pair ofprojections, bearings in the ends of said rollers each supported betweenan inward-located tapered bearing receptacle and an outer bearingreceptacle slidingly received on said shaft thereof, the ends of saidshaft extending outwardly of said slidable bearing receptacle and theends of the rollers, plural flat-sided members connected about the endsof said shafts to retain the bearings and said receptacles in place, atleast one of said plural flat-sided members being threadedly connectedto said shaft to accommodate tightening of the bearing betweenrespective pairsof receptacles, said plural flat-sided members having afiat surface resting on said projections intermediate the openingstherein, and U-shaped connecting means ex tending about said pluralfiat-sided members and having their two legs extended through theapertures in said projections, and means detachably secured to the endsof the legs in said openings so as to secure the shafts of said rollersto respective pairs of said projections and prevent loosening of saidbearing receptacles in the relation to which they are adjusted by thethreaded connection of the plural flat-sided member on the end of theshaft.

7. In an elevating grader, an inclinable conveyor comprising a pair ofspaced sidewall members, a cylinder rotatably mounted between saidsidewall members at each end thereof, one of said cylinders beingoperably connectable to drive means for rotating the cylinder, acontinuous belt about said cylinders to be driven by rotation of saidone cylinder, and guide means mounted on said walls to establishyieldable line contact with the two edges of the belt immediately aheadof its travel about the two' cylinders, said guide means each comprisinga member mounted to one side of the edge of the conveyor belt and freeto swing about an axis normal to the direction of travel of the conveyorbelt, a line of rotatable sheaves mounted on said member lengthwise ofthe travel of the conveyor belt, and a continuous band about saidsheaves which maintains line engagement with the edge of the conveyorbelt lengthwise thereof.

8-. In an elevating grader, an inclinable conveyor comprising a pair ofspaced. sidewall members, a cylinder rotatably mounted between saidsidewall members at each end thereof, one of said cylinders beingoperably connectable to drive means for rotating. the cylinder, acontinuous belt about. said cylinders to be driven by rotation of saidone cylinder, and guide means mounted. on said walls which establishyieldable line contact with the opposed edges of the belt immediatelyahead; of its travel about the. two cylinders, said guide. means eachcomprising a member mounted to one side of the edge of the conveyor beltand free to swing, about an axis, normal to the direction of travel ofthe conveyor belt, a line of rotatable sheaves mounted. on said memberlengthwise of the travel of the conveyor belt, and. a continuous band.about. said sheaves, to. engage the edge of the conveyor belt, saidsheaves including a. lip portion which laps. the adjacent edge. of theconveyor belt.

9.. In an elevating grader,.-the combination of a tractor having anarched longitudinal frame and wheels at. either end of said frame, aplow adjustably mounted on. said frame to one side thereof, aninclinable conveyor having its lower. end, supported beneath said archedframe and in alignment with said plow, the upper end of said conveyorextending upwardly to. theopposite side of the frame, said conveyorcomprising a plurality of sections each including a pair of spacedsidewalls, said sections further having tie members intermediate theirlongitudinal. edges joining each. said sidewalls thereof. together androtatable upper and lower rollers supported between said sidewalls, thesidewalls. of each said sections having flanged ends whichabut and areprovided with aligned apertures through which bolts are located todetachably join said sections, the end. sections of said conveyor eachincluding a rotatable cylinder, and a continuous belt extending aboutsaid cylinders, the upper course of which passes above the tie membersandv is being supported by the upper rollers of the individual sectionsand the lower course of the belt passing below the tie members and beingsupported by the lower rollers of each section, one of said sectionshaving each of its sidewalls in two parts hingedly connected together,whereby to allow the upper portion of the conveyor to be disposed in avertical position and adjacent the frame of the tractor, and said twoparts of said one section including means by which two parts areoptionally rigidly connected to prevent their pivoting about the hingeconnection in the normal use of the conveyor.

10. In an elevating grader, the combination of a tractor having anarched longitudinal frame and wheels at either end of said frame, a plowadjustably mounted on said frame to one side thereof, an inclinableconveyor having its lower end supported beneath said arched frame and inalignment with said plow, the upper end of said conveyor extendingupwardly to the opposite side of the frame, said conveyor comprising aplurality of sections each including a pair of spaced sidewalls, eachhaving tie members joining said sidewalls together in spaced relationand supporting rotatable upper and lower rollers between said sidewalls,the sidewalls of each said sections having flanged ends which abut andare provided with aligned apertures throughwhich bolts extend todetachably join said sections, the end sections of said conveyor eachincluding a rotatable cylinder, and a continuous belt extending aboutsaid cylinders and having its upper and lower courses supported by therespective upper and lower rollers of the individual sections, one ofsaid sections having each of its sidewalls in two parts hingedlyconnected together, and a removable section in one of said two parts ofeach sidewall of the section above the hinge connection to permit thetwo parts to pivot about said hinged connection whereby to allow theupper portion of the conveyor to be disposed in a vertical position andadjacent the frame of the tractor, and said two'parts of said onesection includ ing adjoining flanged parts which abut and through whichbolts are extended to prevent said parts of the one section frompivoting about its hinge connection in the normal use of the conveyor.

11. For use in extending the length of the conveyor of an elevatinggrader and to permit positioning of the upper portion of such a conveyorin a vertical position with the lower portion mounted beneath the frameof the tractor, a section comprising a pair of spaced sidewalls, eachsidewall being similarly divided into two parts and which are hingedtogether about a common axis intermediate the two ends thereof, eachsaid part having'at least one tie member joining said part to thecorresponding part of the other sidewall and rotatable rollers supportedbetween at least one pair of parts of said'sidewalls, the two parts ofsaid side-walls having flanged "ends provided with apertures throughwhich bolt-s may be located to detachably join said section to furthersections'in such a conveyor, and one of said parts of each sidewall ofsaid section having a removable portion immediately above the hingeconnection which permits the two parts to pivot about said hingedconnection toward each other, and said two parts of the two sidewallsof'said section further including adjoining flanged parts which abut in oneposition of their adjustment about said hinged connection, said flangedparts'having napertures through which bolts may be ex-' tended toprevent said parts of the section from pivoting about the hingeconnection in the normal use of the con veyor.

12. In an elevating grader having a longitudinal frame, a sector gearslidably supported on said frame intermediate its ends for movement in acurved path transversely of the frame, a beam pivotally connected tobeneath the frame to permit adjustment thereof about a horizontal axisextending longitudinally of the frame, an intermediate portion of saidbeam being disposed outwardly of said pivotal connections, an inclinablebelt-type conveyor located beneath said frame and extending transverselythereof with its upper end on the side of the frame opposite that wherethe beam is located, a plow disc adjustably mounted on said intermediateportion of the beam and in spaced alignment with the lower end of theconveyor, a first supporting strut on one side of the conveyor, a firstlink along said side of the lower end of the conveyor having one endpivotally connected to said strut and its other end pivotally connectedto the lower end of the conveyor, said pivotal connections being aboutspaced parallel axes, a pair of spaced depending struts fixed to thebeam on the opposite side of the conveyor, brace means connecting thelower ends of said two depending struts, and a right-triangular memberhaving one leg paralleling said brace and pivotally connected tothe'ends of said two depending struts for movement about the axis of thepivotal connection of the first link to its supporting strut, a secondleg of said right triangular member fixed to the first leg and havingits opposite end pivotally connected to the forward end of the conveyorfor movement about an axis corresponding to the axis of the pivotalconnection of the first link to said lower conveyor, a pair of wingsmounted on said sector gear having means on the ends thereof connectedto the two sides of the conveyor at locations intermediate said axesabout which the conveyor is pivotally linked to the beam wherebymovement of the sector gear will serve to raise and lower the lower endof the conveyor about its pivotal connections.

13. In an elevating grader having a longitudinal frame, a sector gearslidably supported on said frame intermediate its ends for movement in acurved path transversely of the frame, a beam pivotally connected tobeneath the frame to permit adjustment thereof about a horizontal axisextending longitudinally of the frame, an intermediate portion of saidbeam being disposed outwardly of said pivotal connections, an inclinablebelt-type conveyor located beneath said frame and extending transverselythereof with its upper end on the side of the frame opposite that wherethe beam is located, a plow disc adjustably mounted on said intermediateportion of the beam and in spaced alignment :with the lower end of the'con veyor, a first supporting strut on one side of the conveyor, afirst link along said side of the lower end of the conveyor having. oneend pivotally connected to said strut and its other end pivotallyconnected to the lower end of the con-j veyor, said pivotal connectionsbeing about spaced axes parallelling said first axis, a pair of spaceddepending struts fixed to the beam on the opposite side of the conveyor,brace means connecting the lower ends of said two depending struts, anda right-triangular member havingone leg paralleling said brace andpivotally connected to the ends of said two depending str-uts formovement about the axis of the pivotal connection of the first link toits sup: porting strut, a second leg of said right triangular memberfixed to the first leg and having its opposite end pivotally connectedto the forward end of the conveyor for movement about an axiscorresponding to the axis of the piv-, otal connection of the firs-tlink to said lower conveyor, a pair of wings mounted on said sector gearhaving means on the ends thereof connected to the two sides of theconveyor at locations intermediate said axes about which the conveyor ispivotally linked -to the beam whereby movement of the sector gear willserve to raise and lower the lower end of the conveyor about its saidpivotal connections, and means on the tractor frame connectable to thebeam for adjusting said beam about its pivotal connection with thetractor frame to alter the height of the disc plow,

the lower end of the conveyor moving with said adjustment of the beam soas to maintain a predetermined alignment and spacing of the disc withrespect to said lower end of the. conveyor.

14. In an elevating grader having a vertically arched longitudinalframe, a sector gear slidably supported on said frame intermediate itsends for movement in a curved path transversely of the frame, anattachment therefor which comprises a beam having one end removablyconnected by a ball-and-socket joint to beneath the frame adjacent oneend thereof, said beam arching outwardly from said connection to oneside of the arched frame, a supporting strut, vertical pivot meansconnecting one end of said supporting strut to the other end of thebeam, horizontal pivot means connecting the other end of the strut tothe frame, the axis of said horizontal pivot means intersecting thecenter of the ball-andsocket joint by which the first end of the beam isconnected to the frame, an inclinab-le belt-type conveyor locatedbeneath said frame and extending transversely thereof with its upper endon the side of the frame opposite that where the beam is located, saidconveyor including rollers at each end thereof and an endless belt aboutsaid rollers, a plow adjustably mounted on said beam intermediate itsends and in spaced alignment with the lower end of the conveyor, a firstlink along one side of the lower end of the conveyor and a second linkalong the other side thereof, each link having one end pivotallyconnected to the lower end of the conveyor about a first horizontal axiswhich substantially coincides with the axis of the roller at said endabout which the belt extends, the other end of said first link be inghinged to said supporting strut for movement about a second horizontalaxis, a depending strut fixed to the beam on the opposite side of theconveyor, and the second link on the opposite side of the conveyorhaving its other end pivotally connected to said depending strut, thepivotal connections of the two links lying along two spaced horizontalaxes, parallel to each other and to the axis of the horizontal pivotmeans of the strut which connects the beam to the frame, a pair of wingsmounted on said-sector gear having means on the ends thereof connectedto the two sides of the conveyor at locations intermediate said firstand second horizontal axes about which the conveyor is pivotally linkedto the beam whereby movement of the sector gear will serve to raise andlower the lower end of the conveyor about its said pivotal connections,and means on the tractor frame connectable to the beam for adjustingsaid beam about its pivotal connection with the frame to alter theheight of the disc plow, the lower end of the conveyor moving with saidadjustment of the beam so as to maintain a predetermined alignment andspacing of the disc with respect to said lower end of the conveyor.

15.. In an elevating grader having a vertically arched longitudinalframe, a sector gear slidably supported on said frame intermediate itsends for movement in a curved path transversely of the frame and a pairof rotatable shafts extending longitudinally of the frame, an attachmenttherefor which comprises a beam having one end removably connected by aball-and-socket joint to beneath the frame adjacent one end thereof,said beam arching outwardly from said connection to one side of thearched frame, a supporting strut to the other end of the beam,horizontal pivot means connecting the other end of the strut to theframe, the axis of said horizontal pivot means intersecting the centerof the ball-and-socket joint and defining an axis about which the beamis adjustable relative to the frame, an inclinable belt-type conveyorlocated beneath said frame and extending transversely thereof with itsupper end on the side of the frame opposite that where the beam islocated, a plow disc adjustably mounted on said beam intermediate itsends and in spaced align- \ment vsu'th the lower end of the conveyor, afirst link along one side of the lower end of the conveyor having oneend pivotally connected to the lower end of the conveyor about a firsthorizontal axis, the other end of said first link being hinged to saidsupporting strut for movement about a second horizontal axis, a pair ofdepending struts fixed to the beam on the opposite side of the conveyor,one of said depending struts depending from the beam adjacent itsball-and-socket connection to the. frame, the other depending strutbeing spaced from said first depending strut and angling forwardly fromthe beam, brace means connecting the lower ends of said two dependingstruts, and a right-triangular member having one leg paralleling saidbrace and pivotally connected to the end of said two depending strutsfor hinged movement about said second horizontal axis, a second leg ofsaid right triangular member fixed to the first leg and having itsopposite end pivotally connected to the forward end of the conveyor forhinged movement about said first horizontal axis, a pair of wingsmountable on said sector gear having means on the ends thereof connectedto the two sides of the conveyor at locations intermediate said firstand second horizontal axes about which the conveyor is pivotally linkedto the beam whereby movement of the sector gear will serve to raise andlower the lower end of the conveyor about its said pivotal connections,sheave means mountable on the tractor frame and a cable extendingthereover having one connected to the upper end of the conveyor and itsother secureable to said shaft whereby rotation of said shaft will serveby winding or unwinding the cable to adjust the height of the conveyorsupper end, and means connecting the beam to said other rotatable shaftof its frame whereby rotation of said shaft will serve to pivot saidbeam about its pivotal connection with the frame to adjust the height ofthe disc plow, therlower end of the conveyor moving with said adjustmentof the beam so as to maintain a predetermined alignment and spacing ofthe disc with respect to said lower end of the conveyor.

16. 'In an attachment according to claimv 15 wherein guide means aremounted on the sidewalls of the convyeor which establish yieldable linecontact lengthwise of the opposed edges of the belt to confine the pathof travel of the conveyor belt.

17. In an attachment according to claim 15 wherein the conveyor isdiveded into sections each including spaced sidewalls supporting rollerstherebetween over which the conveyor belt courses, said sections havingadjacent apertured flange-d ends which abut and are bolted together bybolts extending through aligned-z apertures thereof.

18. In an attachment according to claim =1 5- wherein the conveyor isdivided into sections each including spaced sidewalls supporting rollerstherebetweeni over which the conveyor belt courses, said sections havingadjacent flanged ends bolted together, and one of. said sectionscomprising two parts hingedly connected together to permit position ingthe outer portion of the conveyor in a vertical position. and releasablemeans for locking" said hinged parts of said one section against suchhinging action.

19. In an elevating grader, the combination of a beam pivotallyconnectable to a frame so as to be adjustable about a first axisextending longitudinally of the frame, a plow suspended from said beam,an inclined conveyor extending transversely of said first axis andhaving its lower end portion disposed adjacent said plow, said conveyorincluding a roller supported at each of its upper and lower ends and anendless belt extending over and between said rollers, linking meanssecuring said lower end of the conveyor to said beam, said linking meansbeing pivotally connected to said beam for hinging movement about asecond axis disposed parallel to and spaced from said first axis aboutwhich the. beamis adjustable, said linking means being also pivotallyconnected to said conveyor for hinging movement about a third axisspaced from said first and second axes" and parallel thereto, said thirdaxis coinciding with the axis of the roller carried by the lower end ofthe: conveyor, a first connecting means joined to adjacent the lower endof the conveyor intermediate said second and third spaced pivotal axesof the link means, and a second connecting means joined to the upper endof the conveyor, said connecting means being adapted for connection tooperating means of the grader to permit varying the inclination of theconveyor.

=20. In an elevating grader, the combination according to claim 11-9wherein the linking means further includes rigidifying structure toprevent lateral sway of the lower end of the conveyor.

(References on following page) i References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS Barry July 4, 1882 Powlinson Apr. 26, 1904Sargent Nov. 5, 1907 Smith May 17, 1910 Lil-ly June 24, 1930 WallaceAug. 22, 1933 Gustafson Mar. 1, 1938 Stokes Nov. 7, 1944 Strong May 10,1949 Rawlinson Nov. 25, 1952 Clark July 31, 1956 18 Hancock May 7, 1957Reisser Dec. 3, 1957 Brown Oct. 211, 1958 Armington July 28, 1959 RonkJune 7, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS Australia Mar. 24, 1953 OTHER REFERENCESDomor publication, Elevating Grader attachment for Caterpillar MotorGraders (Models No. 12 and 112), published by Ulrich Products Corp.Received in Patent Ofiice April 11, 1951.

1. IN AN ELEVATING GRADER, THE COMBINATION OF A BEAM PIVOTALLYCONNECTABLE TO A TRACTOR FRAME ABOUT A FIRST AXIS EXTENDINGLONGITUDINALLY OF SAID FRAME, A PLOW SUSPENDED FROM SAID BEAM, ACONVEYOR INCLUDING ROLLERS AT OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF AND AN ENDLESS BELTEXTENDING ABOUT SAID ROLLERS, SAID CONVEYOR HAVING ONE END PORTIONDISPOSED BELOW SAID BEAM AND MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID END PORTIONTO SAID BEAM FOR MOVEMENT ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS SPACED PARALLEL TO ANDBELOW SAID FIRST AXIS ABOUT WHICH THE BEAM IS PIVOTALLY MOUNTABLE, SAIDHORIZONTAL AXIS ESSENTIALLY COINCIDING WITH THE AXIS OF THE ROLLER ATSAID END OF THE CONVEYOR, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID CONVEYOR IN ANINCLINED POSITION, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE BEAM ABOUT SAID FIRSTAXIS TO RAISE AND LOWER THE PLOW, THE LOWER END OF THE CONVEYOR MOVINGWITH SAID ADJUSTMENT OF THE BEAM SO AS TO MAINTAIN A PREDETERMINEDALIGNMENT AND SPACING OF THE PLOW WITH RESPECT TO THE SAID LOWER END OFTHE CONVEYOR.